Dashing Druid (Texas Druids) Page 17

  She stiffened instantly. “Oh! I forgot. I . . . I’m sorry.”

  He cut her off with a light kiss, then levered himself up enough to see the moonlit oval of her face. “Don’t apologize, colleen. Ye pay me a rare compliment by not wishing us to part, and if ye haven’t noticed, I feel exactly the same way.” It was true; he’d already hardened again inside her.

  Thick lashes screened her eyes, and although darkness hid the color of her cheeks, he knew she blushed at his frankness. He groaned in regret as he separated from her.

  She pushed herself up on her elbows while he got to his feet. Raking her body with a lusty gaze, he held out his hand to her. She grasped it and he pulled her up, and unable to resist, straight into his arms. She lay her hands lightly on his torn shoulders. As before, the touch of her beaded nipples against his chest overcame any pain from his wounds.

  “One more kiss,” he said thickly, claiming her lips. He reveled in her immediate response and was tempted for one wild moment to reconsider and take her again. But she’d been a virgin, as he’d sensed from the beginning. She must be sore. He wouldn’t subject her to more pain or the shame she’d be forced to endure if they were caught in the act by one of the drovers or, God forbid, by her father.

  Wrenching his mouth from hers, he stood her at arm’s length and bent to snatch up her clothes. His voice rang rough with need as he handed them to her. “Get dressed, Lily, before I forget everything but how much I want ye again.”

  She gave a jerky nod, breathing hard, and fumbled into her shirt while Tye found his pants and snaked into them. He didn’t trust himself to look at her again until they were both fully clothed. He waited as she quickly braided her hair; then they walked back to camp in silence.

  When they were within a stone’s throw of the wagons, he caught her arm and whispered, “Go on ahead. I’ll circle around and come in from the far side, just in case someone’s awake.”

  “All right.” She started to turn away but paused. “Good night,” she said softly.

  “Good night, love.” He cupped her cheek and brushed a gentle kiss across her lips. With great reluctance, he let her walk away. Giving her a few moments’ head start, he made his way around the sleeping camp.

  * * *

  Early the next morning, Lil rode slowly along near the lead steers as they grazed and ambled north into the Indian Territory. A stiff easterly breeze stirred the short tufts of grama grass they fed upon. The red earth nourishing the grass was firm and dry, a pleasant change.

  Sloshing through water and mud, and eating nothing but soggy, wilted grass all the way from Fort Worth had left the cattle footsore and somewhat underweight. They would soon recover, though, now that they had dry ground and good forage.

  Lil wasn’t so sure about herself. Tender in certain places, she shifted in her saddle, but the physical discomfort was nothing compared to the painful turmoil of her thoughts.

  How could she give herself to Tye so brazenly? How could she ignore everything she’d been taught about right and wrong? Shame warred with the part of her that rejoiced because she finally knew what it was like to be loved by a man.

  Loved? No, she mustn’t hoodwink herself. Tye had called her “love” but he’d never said he loved her. What had happened between them was lust, plain and simple.

  A chilling prospect assailed her, one she hadn’t even thought of last night. What if she came up pregnant? She hadn’t lain with a man before, but she knew how babies were made. She’d be plumb stupid not to, living on a ranch around animals all her life.

  Tye had been so gentle, he’d given her such pleasure, and he’d risked his life to save her back at the river. She believed he did care for her, but he wasn’t interested in marriage. When she’d put the question to him after the night in Fort Worth, he’d gone mute. She’d known immediately what that meant.

  Since he felt that way, was it fair to shackle him to her for the sake of a child, if there turned out to be one? No, she couldn’t do it. He’d given her a chance to walk away last night, but she’d chosen to grab a moment’s happiness, throwing consequences to the wind. Now she would bear those consequences herself, no matter what.

  Her fretful pondering was interrupted when her father appeared on a low ridge up ahead. He signaled for Neil and her to turn the herd slightly west. Copying his motion, she doffed her hat and waved it to her left to let the man behind her know which way they were to go. Then she dropped away from the lead steers, while Neil crowded in close on his side and gave a yell. Jefe and his followers reacted by angling away from him, in the desired direction.

  They moved on without incident through the morning, leaving Lil plenty of time to think before her father called the midday halt. As luck would have it, she and Tye rode into camp at the same time.

  “Hello, love,” he said sweet and low, drawing up beside her.

  Her pulse tripped over itself. She made a wordless sound as her feet touched ground, then stood rooted, hand on her saddle horn, while he dismounted and walked around her horse. His nearness nearly undid her. He was a lode stone, pulling her, making her long to touch him. But she’d come to a decision and she meant to stick to it.

  “God, how I want to kiss ye!” he murmured.

  “Be quiet. S-s-someone might hear,” she stammered, growing hot all over at the thought of his kiss. She glanced around for her father, hoping he wouldn’t interfere, and spotted him near the fire. He’d ridden in ahead of her and already sat eating with the men. To her surprise, he eyed her and Tye and nodded complacently.

  Tye returned his nod. “Ye needn’t worry, colleen. It seems I’m to be trusted around ye now, because of yesterday, no doubt. Ah well, I’ll not quibble over the reason.”

  His gaze shifted back to her, and she swallowed hard. As she searched for the courage to speak, a worried look creased his brow.

  “Something’s wrong. You’re angry with me. Or is it with yourself?” He suddenly glowered at her. “You’re about to tell me to stay away. Again.”

  Like last night, she imagined he was reading her mind. Ridiculous! Mind reading wasn’t real; it was a carnival act. Blaming his guess on her unguarded expression, she met his probing blue eyes and nodded. “Yeah, I . . . I want you to leave me alone.”

  “Saints above! Lily, I understand if you’re having regrets, but ye needn’t worry, colleen. I promise ye –”

  “No! No promises,” she snapped, hand raised to stop him. “Last night was . . . it was something we both needed after what happened at the river. But don’t pretend it was more than that. And don’t think I’ll let it happen again, because I won’t. I can’t.” She hardened her voice. “Like I said, just leave me alone.”

  He clenched his jaw, then said in a furious undertone, “If that’s how ye feel, I’ll abide by your wishes.” Touching his hat, he stalked away.

  A silent cry of regret strangled Lil. She wanted to run after him and take back every word she’d said, but she resisted the impulse. This was for the best, she told herself, no matter how heartsick it left her.

  Damnú! Tye fumed as he strode to the chuck wagon. Why couldn’t she at least hear me out?

  All morning, his thoughts had circled around Lil. Until last night, he’d only dreamed of how good it might be between them. Now he knew, and he ached to share that wondrous ecstasy with her again – over and over again. Hearing her deny it was more than some animal urge, on top of being ordered to leave her alone, flayed him more cruelly than the panther’s claws. His torn flesh would mend, but would he ever get over his longing for Lil?

  He had only himself to blame. Hadn’t he made up his mind to let her be after Fort Worth? He should have marched her straight back to camp last night after her stilted thank you speech – something he hadn’t expected or wanted. Instead, he’d begged a kiss from her and had allowed it to grow into full-blown passion. Fool! Look at ye now, acting like a hurt schoolboy because she wants no more to do with ye.

  Aye, but she had no such feelings last night.
He would have known. Still, perhaps he ought to have expected this. He’d taken her virginity and bid her goodnight without a word of reassurance. Now she likely feared she’d find herself in a family way, and she obviously didn’t trust him to stand by her in that event. But she was wrong. He might have nothing to offer but his name, but he would gladly give it to her if she needed it. Ha! If she would take it.

  * * *

  Two days later, Rusty Grayson tangled with a bad-tempered longhorn and got hurt when his horse went down. Tye was among those gathered around the injured cowboy while Chic assessed the damage. Standing nearby, Lil avoided his eyes. They hadn’t spoken since the other morning.

  “Well, yore arm’s broke,” Chic told Rusty, sitting back on his heels. “Guess yuh knew that. I don’t think yuh busted anything else. Reckon I better set the arm and rig a sling.”

  The drover groaned. “Doggone, it’s my ropin’ arm.”

  “That’s bad luck. Yuh won’t do no ropin’ for a while.”

  Del Crawford had stood grim and silent during Chic’s examination. Now he sighed heavily. “Rusty, you’re a good hand. If we were closer to Kansas, I’d try to keep you on, but with so much country left to cross, I’ll have to replace you.”

  Rusty nodded dejectedly. “I know, boss. Guess I knew it the minute my arm snapped.”

  “I’m sorry, boy. After Chic fixes you up, I’ll see you safe across the Red.” Addressing Neil MacClure, Del said, “I’ll try to pick up a hand at the Station. You’re in charge while I’m gone.”

  Getting a nod from the Scotsman, Del turned to Tye. “Devlin, you take Rusty’s spot. Kirby can cover drag by himself ’til I get back.”

  “Aye, sir,” Tye said, staring at him in astonishment. He frowned as the older man headed for his horse. Crawford had sworn to keep him on drag for the entire drive. Was this some sort of reward for rescuing Lil back at the river? She was alive; that was reward enough. He thought he’d made that clear.

  Catching the wave of surprise and irritation that radiated from Lil as she watched her father ride away, Tye realized she wasn’t pleased by Del’s decision either. Her reaction irked him even though he felt the same way. Did she think he wasn’t fit to take Rusty’s place? She glanced at him, and he cocked an eyebrow in challenge. Eyes flashing, she knelt to help Chic set Rusty’s arm.

  * * *

  Lil sat by the campfire the following night when her father returned with a replacement for Rusty. Little older than thirteen-year-old Jubal, the newcomer sported freckles and light brown hair. Her pa introduced him as George Schumacher. The middle son of a saloon keeper at Red River Station, he wanted to be a cowboy.

  “How’s Rusty doing?” Lil asked as soon as introductions were over.

  “He’s all right,” her pa replied, dishing up leftovers for himself. “He means to rest up a while at the Station, then head home. I reckon he’ll spend the pay I gave him on whiskey.”

  He glanced at George, who stood shifting uncertainly from one foot to the other. “Get a plate, youngster. If you’re gonna be a cowboy, you’d best line your innards.”

  “Y-yessir,” the youth stuttered, hurrying to obey.

  Lil hid a smile behind her hand. The boy would take plenty of hazing, just like Jubal and Kirby. So had Tye at first, but he’d long since proven himself to the men, and he’d sure made her father do an about-face toward him. All because he’d saved her bacon at the river. When Pa assigned him to replace Rusty, she’d gotten a hunch Pa was suddenly seeing Tye as son-in-law material. He’d best forget the idea.

  Marriage wasn’t in the cards for her and the dashing Irish Yankee. He was a tumbleweed. He’d probably be gone with the summer wind. She’d been wrong to lie with him; she mustn’t repeat that mistake. Yet she couldn’t help thinking of him – and wishing.

  Tye was riding night herd right now. Out there alone, was he thinking of her? she wondered as her father sat down to eat. Caught up in her thoughts, she paid little attention to his conversation with Neil MacClure until he mentioned seeing Judd Howard’s herd. That made her sit up straight and listen.

  “Judd brought his bunch across the river this morning. Puts him about three days behind us,” Pa said.

  Lil didn’t like the sound of that. She’d hoped the rain would hold the Circle H drive back far enough to prevent another run-in between Tye and Frank Howard. Instead, the Howards were only three days’ drive away, a matter of hours for a man on horseback. And Frank wasn’t one to forget a grudge. Her stomach fluttered at the thought.

  * * *

  Tye stared at a small party of Indians as they trudged toward the herd the following afternoon. Stationed at left swing today, he happened to be near at hand as the Indians approached. They were the first he’d seen since entering the Territory, and he was frankly shocked by their wretched condition. Ragged and dirty, they carried or dragged their meager possessions on travois. There wasn’t a horse among them.

  Del and Lil rode back to join him, Dewey loped forward from his flank position, and Neil cut a path through the moving herd. Together, they waited for the straggling band to draw near.

  “Comanches,” Dewey said with distaste. “Don’ look so mean since Colonel Mackenzie whupped ’em. Prob’ly headed over Fort Sill way to give up like their kin.”

  “Most likely,” Del agreed. “Stay loose, all of you, while I palaver with ’em. My guess is they’re only after a handout, but there could be more just over the hill. With guns.”

  Noting the Indians’ thin, haggard faces when they stopped a few yards away, Tye doubted anyone in their weakened condition could wage a fight. Still, he heeded Del’s advice and loosened his rifle in its saddle scabbard. The others did likewise, except for Lil. Seeing her stare at the filthy, half-naked women and children, he picked up her feeling of horror at the pitiful sight. He didn’t blame her; he felt much the same way.

  There were three men with the band, all of them old. One, a gray-haired ancient with wizened features, stepped forward. He wore a dirty breechclout of dark blue blanket cloth and saggy animal skin leggings with beaded designs that might have been beautiful once. Now they were caked with filth and falling apart.

  The old man made a series of hand motions that Tye took to be sign language, and Del answered in the same manner. After another flurry of gestures, the Indian pointed toward the herd and grunted something that sounded like “wohaw”.

  Del scowled. “You called it, Dewey. They’re heading for the fort. He says first the whites took away the buffalo, then Mackenzie killed their horses back at Palo Duro, and they can’t hunt. So they want ten fat beeves instead.” Shaking his head adamantly, he made a sharp gesture of denial.

  “Pa! They’re starving!” Lil exclaimed. “You can’t just turn them away.”

  “Didn’t say I was, but I’m not handing over ten prime steers, neither.” He turned to Tye and Dewey. “You boys go on back and cut out two of the lamest drags. We’ll give ’em those.”

  Tye caught Lil’s frown of dissatisfaction before he rode off with Dewey to follow Del’s order. Like her, the Indians weren’t too happy with the compromise, but they accepted it, not having much choice. When Tye saw the last of them, they’d butchered the two cattle and were ravenously consuming the meat – raw. His gorge rose at the sight.

  Later, while eating his own dinner, he commented, “I can’t get over those poor beggars this afternoon. They tore into those two steers like a pack of wolves.”

  Lil sat nearby along with several of the men. Hearing her fork hit her plate, Tye glanced at her. Her eyes held black rage.

  “You didn’t like their manners, huh? Well, maybe if you hadn’t eaten in days, you wouldn’t be too particular about how and what you ate, either.”

  Stung by her biting comment, he defended himself. “I’ll admit I was shocked, but mainly I felt sorry for them. The same as you.”

  “Save your pity!” she flared, jumping to her feet. “They don’t want it. All they want is their life back, the life greedy, lan
d hungry whites stole from them.” Looking him up and down as though he were personally responsible for the Indians’ plight, she whirled and stalked off.

  “Saints above! I didn’t take their land or their way of life,” he fired off at her retreating back. She didn’t even slow down.

  The other men laughed at the tongue-lashing she’d given him.

  “Howl, ye banshees!” Tye snarled, shoving to his feet. “And may Old Scratch hear ye and come callin’.” Leaving them to chew on that, he strode to his night horse.

  To his surprise, Del followed him. “Lil’s a might prickly where Indians are concerned, being part Cherokee herself,” he said.

  “Aye, so I noticed,” Tye snapped, tightening his cinch strap. He took a calming breath and turned to face the other man. “Doubtless ye won’t believe me, but I meant no offense just now. I’ve been scorned for my Irish accent all my life. I’m not in the habit of dishing out the same to others.”

  “I believe you,” Del said, even more surprisingly. He crossed his arms and studied the ground. “You know, Devlin, I took you for just another carpetbagging Yankee out to get what you could from Lil.”

  Thinking of what had happened between Lil and himself, Tye flushed at her father’s words. “Mister Crawford, I never wanted to hurt –”

  “Hold on, I ain’t done,” Del interrupted. “Now, you’ve proved plenty of times that you’ve got sand. But even a brave man might not risk himself to save Lil the way you did, unless he really cares for her. Leastways that’s how I’ve got it figured. So I won’t give you any more trouble.” He lifted a gray eyebrow, and his mouth twitched. “’Less you got it coming, that is. And I won’t stand in your way with my daughter.”

  Thunderstruck, Tye shook his head slowly. “I appreciate that, sir, but I very much doubt Lil will even speak to me again.”

  The trail boss chuckled. “Give her time, boy. She’s got a burr under her blanket right now, but she’ll settle down. Wait ’n see. Now you’d best get out to the herd with Dewey. Glad we had this little talk.”